The next morning, first thing, I went to the bank.
But I didn't move the money into the account Noah had named.
That two hundred thousand, plus the last thirty thousand in savings on my card, I moved all of it into a safe investment account.
I'd barely walked out of the bank when Minnie called.
"Jules, where are you? Noah's friend Lewis Lambert came looking for you."
Lewis? Noah's college roommate, and one of the few friends the two of us shared.
"I'll be right back."
Back downstairs at my rental, Lewis was standing by the flower bed, smoking.
When he saw me, he stubbed out the cigarette and hurried over.
"There you are, sis — you're finally back," he said, all worry on his face.
"You needed something?" I looked at him.
"Noah asked me to check on you. That thing on the phone yesterday, don't take it to heart." Lewis sighed.
"It's not easy for Noah, breaking into that circle. Every day he's got to read the mood of those rich kids."
"That Miss Pruitt is spoiled and difficult. For the sake of the company, all Noah can do is grit his teeth and play along."
"You're the only one in his heart. Whatever you do, don't make a scene with him."
I looked at that sincere face of his.
How had I never noticed before that everyone around Noah was such a good actor.
"Play along?" I let out a cold laugh.
"That's right, sis, Noah's had it so hard. He called me in the middle of the night, said he felt like he'd wronged you."
Lewis pulled a nice little box out of his pocket and handed it to me.
"Noah asked me to bring you this. Said it's a gift to make it up to you."
I took the box and opened it.
Inside was a silver necklace, the pendant a cheap little rhinestone heart.
A necklace like this, at one of those trinket shops on the street, wouldn't go for more than fifty dollars.
And what I'd seen yesterday on the old phone, the custom diamond ring Noah had made for Miss Pruitt, was worth six hundred and eighty thousand.
"Tell him thanks for me." I closed the box and tucked it into my pocket.
Seeing me take the gift, Lewis visibly relaxed.
"Good that you get it, sis. Noah says once he gets through this stretch, he'll bring you to the big city to enjoy the good life."
"Fine. I'll wait." I said it calmly.
After Lewis left, I took out the old phone and opened the chat log between him and Noah.
Last night, eleven o'clock.
Noah: 【Lew, go steady that bitter shrew Julia for me tomorrow. Don't let her cause trouble at a moment like this.】
Lewis: 【Relax, Noah. She's so easy to sweet-talk. Just buy some little gift for a few bucks and say a few soft words, that's all it takes.】
Noah: 【Right. Once Nari and I are married and I take over the Pruitt company, there'll be plenty in it for you.】
Looking at those words, a chill ran through me.
So it turned out I'd been played for a fool by them for six years.
Everyone had been laughing at me, and I was the only one dreaming about a future.
I went back into the room and started packing.
There wasn't much to pack, really. A few pieces of clothing washed pale, a few old books.
I threw that cheap necklace into the trash.
Then I booked a ticket to the city where Noah was.
Since he was so eager to bring me to the big city to enjoy the good life, I'd go see it for myself.
See how this "promising young talent" of his bowed and scraped in front of the Pruitts.
See just how grand and glorious that lavish wedding of his really was.
I picked up my suitcase and locked the door of the rental.
